Vert.run
Trail and ultra running plans with an in-app AI coach and optional human coaching, syncing activities from Garmin, COROS, Suunto, Apple Watch and Strava.
Ranked #7 of 19 with an overall score of 3.2/5 (5 of 7 dimensions scored). Visit Vert.run. Entry last reviewed 2026-10-13.
Trail, Running AI level: Conversational AI coach Adaptive plan + chat human coach in the loop USD 19.9/mo · USD 118.8/yr pushes workouts to 0 devices
Vert.run builds a trail or ultra training plan from race goal, terrain, elevation and weekly availability, and an in-app assistant (Coach Vert Run) answers questions and applies changes such as swapping a workout, adding an easy week or adding a race. Completed runs are imported from Garmin, COROS, Suunto, Apple Watch and Strava; the vendor does not describe sending workouts to watches. Vert Pro costs USD 19.90/month or 118.80/year (7-day trial) and includes a human coach review of the plan and five coach messages; Vert Coaching (USD 45/month or 396/year) adds a dedicated coach with weekly check-ins. Free plans are available but cannot be adjusted.
Conversational AI coach. An LLM-based coach the athlete talks to in free text; it can explain, negotiate and change the plan, usually on top of a model-driven or rule-based planner. source
What the coach does
Thirteen coaching capabilities as stated by the vendor. ● full, ◐ partial, ○ not offered, ? unverified. Each links to the page that states it.
| Plan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Builds a periodized planBuilds a periodized plan to a goal and date? | ◐ | Plan generated from goal, date, availability and current fitness, with phases. source |
| Precise workout prescriptionHow precise is each session? | ? | unverified |
| Race preparationRace-specific work, taper, pacing? | ◐ | Race blocks, taper and a pacing or race-day plan for the target event. source |
| Adapt | ||
| Adapts to lifeRe-plans around life? | ● | Missed or moved sessions and availability changes re-flow the plan automatically. source |
| Adapts to fatigueReacts to fatigue and readiness? | ◐ | Load changes from HRV, sleep, resting HR or subjective feel without the athlete asking. source |
| Handles injury and illnessHandles sick or hurt athletes? | ◐ | Pause and return-to-training progression, not just skip. source |
| Relationship | ||
| Post-workout feedbackExplains what a completed session meant? | ? | unverified |
| ConversationCan the athlete talk to the coach? | ● | Free-text chat that can answer questions and change the plan. source |
| Check-ins and accountabilityDoes it come to you? | ◐ | Scheduled check-ins, debriefs or reminders initiated by the app. source |
| Human coach in the loopIs a human in the loop? | ● | A human coach reviews or messages, included or as an add-on. source |
| Beyond endurance | ||
| Strength and mobilityStrength in the plan? | ◐ | Prescribed strength or mobility sessions scheduled alongside endurance work. source |
| Nutrition and fuelingFueling guidance? | ◐ | Session- or day-specific fueling numbers. source |
| Multisport planningOne plan across sports? | ? | unverified |
Works with
Partners the vendor states support for, by kind. A partner not listed is unverified, not unsupported.
Watches
| Partner | Direction | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin (watches / Connect) | reads activities | source checked 2026-10-13 |
| COROS | reads activities | source checked 2026-10-13 |
| Suunto | reads activities | source checked 2026-10-13 |
| Apple Watch | reads activities | source checked 2026-10-13 |
Training platforms
| Partner | Direction | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Strava | reads activities | source checked 2026-10-13 |
Wellness and health data
| Partner | Direction | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Health | reads activities App Store lists Apple Health for heart rate, distance and performance data. | source checked 2026-10-13 |
Facts
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web source |
|---|---|
| Languages | EN, FR, ES source |
| Company | Vertrun Inc. source |
| Country | US source |
| Launched | unverified |
Pricing
| Pricing model | Subscription source |
|---|---|
| Monthly price | USD 19.9 source |
| Annual price | USD 118.8 source |
| Free tier | Limited free tier source |
| Trial | 7 days source |
- VertPro USD 19.99/month or 119.00/year (App Store): Adaptive coach-built plan, Coach Vert Run AI assistant for plan changes and questions, human plan review, five in-app coach messages, email support; 7-day trial. source
- VertCoaching USD 45/month: Everything in VertPro plus a matched human trail/ultra coach, kick-off call, guaranteed weekly check-in, in-app chat; extra calls available. source
- Strength coaching (add-on) USD 39/month (USD 25/month with running coaching): Separate strength coach: intake survey, 30-minute call, strength plan adjusted to training load and races; injury-recovery guidance. source
Scores
1–5 per dimension by the published rubric. Each score links to its evidence. Blank means no public evidence yet.
| Dimension | Score | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Plan quality | 2 | No zones, threshold method or periodization model is published; plans are time-based. A Trustpilot reviewer (Jan 2025) calls the plans generic and basic; others credit them with PRs. evidence checked 2026-10-13 |
| Adaptation | 3 | Play reviewers confirm the plan re-flows when races are added; vendor documents request-driven changes (swap workout, easy week, travel). A Trustpilot reviewer (May 2025) could not change plans. No physiological inputs documented. evidence checked 2026-10-13 |
| Workout feedback | – | no public evidence yet |
| Coaching relationship | 4 | Vendor documents a chat coach (Coach Vert Run) that answers questions and changes the plan, plus a human coach: plan review and five messages on VertPro, a dedicated coach with weekly check-ins on VertCoaching. Trustpilot reports slow human replies; no independent comparison to a human coach, so not 5. evidence checked 2026-10-13 |
| Transparency | – | no public evidence yet |
| Value for money | 4 | USD 9.90/month billed annually includes human plan review and coach messages; a Play reviewer doubts a personal coach can be had for less. Coaching tier (USD 33-45/month) is far below typical human coaching. evidence checked 2026-10-13 |
| Athlete sentiment | 3 | Mixed: Trustpilot 2.9/5 (67 reviews) with cancellation/billing and unresponsive-coach complaints alongside praise; Google Play ~4.0/5 (288 reviews) and App Store 4.4/5 (73) are mostly positive but cite bugs. evidence checked 2026-10-13 |
What athletes say
Independent threads and reviews consulted, titles only; no paraphrase.
- Vert: Trail Running Coach (App Store) (appstore, checked 2026-10-13)
- Vert: Trail Running Coach (Google Play) (appstore, checked 2026-10-13)
- Trustpilot reviews of vert.run (review, checked 2026-10-13)
- Trailia: Best trail running apps 2026 (competitor comparison) (review, checked 2026-10-13)
Common questions
What kind of AI coach is Vert.run?
Vert.run is classified as "Conversational AI coach": An LLM-based coach the athlete talks to in free text; it can explain, negotiate and change the plan, usually on top of a model-driven or rule-based planner.
Does Vert.run include a human coach?
Yes. A human coach reviews or messages, included or as an add-on.
Does Vert.run adapt the plan to fatigue and sleep?
Partly: Load changes from HRV, sleep, resting HR or subjective feel without the athlete asking.
What does Vert.run cost?
USD 19.9/mo · USD 118.8/yr, with a 7-day trial, and a limited free tier.
Which sports does Vert.run coach?
Trail, Running.
Similar tools
AI Endurance LLM coach · enduco LLM coach · YOUB LLM coach · Humango LLM coach · Athletica Model
Vendor sources consulted
- Vert.run FAQ checked 2026-10-13
- Vert.run: Our story checked 2026-10-13
- Two ways to train with Vert checked 2026-10-13
- Vert.run AI coaching webinar (Nov 2025) checked 2026-10-13
- Vert.run: how the app and AI coaching system work checked 2026-10-13